Latching Drum Lid With Integral Exhaust Hood

ABSTRACT

An apparatus for attaching to an opening of a drum that includes a lid, a base for attaching to the opening of the drum, a circular inner wall formed on the base, a circular outer wall formed on the base and extending between the base and the lid, the circular outer wall being circumferentially spaced about the circular inner wall and defining an open space therebetween, and an exhaust opening formed on an outer surface of the circular outer wall.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/169,408 filed Apr. 15, 2009, which is fully incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates generally to a latching drum lid with integral exhaust hood.

Management of hazardous waste in containers is regulated by The United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Containers are portable devices used for the storage, transportation, treatment, disposal or handling of materials (see, for example, 40 CFR §260.10). The regulation, 40 CFR §265.173(a), states in general: A container holding hazardous waste must always be closed during storage, except when it is necessary to add or remove waste. In addition, SUBPART CC, 40 CFR 264.1086 (c) (1) (ii) requires hazardous waste containers to be sealed to prevent VOC emissions.

The purpose of the closed container requirement is to, for example:

-   -   Minimize emissions of volatile wastes     -   Isolate ignitable or reactive wastes from sources of ignition or         reaction     -   Prevent spills     -   Reduce the potential for mixing of incompatible waste     -   Minimize the likelihood of using the hazardous waste container         as a trashcan or ashtray     -   Minimize the potential for rainwater to enter the container,         increasing both the volume of hazardous waste and the associated         handling costs     -   Reduce the potential for any object to fall into the waste

Containers are considered adequately closed if:

-   -   No spills or releases occur if the container is knocked over     -   Vapor emission does not occur—no odors can be emitted from the         container     -   Items dropped on top of the container cannot pass through the         container lid and into the waste     -   Foreign objects and liquids cannot enter the container         inadvertently

Satellite accumulation areas enable facilities to collect hazardous waste near the generation areas and store up to 55 gallons of waste before transferring the drum to a designated storage area (40 CFR §262.34 (c) (1)). Making the lids easy to remove and reseal after frequent deposits into the hazardous waste drums has been an ongoing issue. The use of a latching lid with a continuous gasket and a bolt or lever closed attachment ring has addressed the ease-of-use concerns while meeting the knock over, volatilization, dropped items and foreign object requirements. While these latching lids with continuous gaskets and bolt or lever closed attachment rings reduce vapor emission of the hazardous waste when the lid is closed, they do not account for vapor emission when the lid is open. If the emissions are harmful or noxious to humans, they should be vented to an exhaust system to prevent respiration. Hazardous emissions include flammable vapors, gases, fumes, mists, dusts, and volatile or airborne materials posing a health hazard, such as toxic or corrosive materials. The best way to prevent exposure to airborne substances is to prevent their escape into the working atmosphere by use of hoods and other ventilation devices.

Placement of an exhaust hood behind a drum in a satellite accumulation area allows easy access to the lid but requires significant floor space to install. If the lid is hinged, the lid also tends to block the exhaust flow. OSHA provides a diagram for a drum lid that incorporates an exhaust hood. Unfortunately, the design would not remain closed if knocked over since neither the system nor lid are attached to the drum or use a continuous gasket. In addition, the ventilation opening in the design is blocked when the lid is open, which greatly reduces its ability to pull the vapors away from the user. Finally, the opening is not large enough to accommodate five gallon pails.

Other designs to minimize vapor emission while the lid is open include limiting the opening area. While limiting the opening area reduces the amount of vapor emission, it does not pull away the vapors that do escape. Another design to limit vapor emissions is to provide a pressurized air lock between the drum and opening. This design is costly to manufacture, difficult to maintain and does not accommodate five gallon pails. Five gallon pails are a common waste since they are regularly used as supply containers and as temporary collection containers with a disposable liner.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

An aspect of the invention includes an apparatus for attaching to an opening of a drum that includes a lid, a base for attaching to the opening of the drum, a circular inner wall formed on the base, a circular outer wall formed on the base and extending between the base and the lid, the circular outer wall being circumferentially spaced about the circular inner wall and defining an open space therebetween, and an exhaust opening formed on an outer surface of the circular outer wall.

Another aspect of the invention includes a latching drum lid with an integral exhaust that includes a lid, a base opposing the lid, a circular inner wall formed on the base, a circular outer wall formed on the base and extending between the base and the lid, the circular outer wall being circumferentially spaced about the circular inner wall and defining an open space therebetween, and an exhaust opening formed on an outer surface of the circular outer wall.

Another aspect of the invention includes a latching drum lid with an integral exhaust that includes a lid, a base opposing the lid, a circular inner wall formed on the base, a circular outer wall formed on the base and extending between the base and the lid, the circular outer wall being circumferentially spaced about the circular inner wall and defining an open space therebetween, and exhaust means for establishing an airflow from the inside of the latching drum lid to the outside of the latching drum lid.

These and other aspects of the present invention will be more fully understood following a review of this specification and drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 illustrates a latching a drum lid with an integral exhaust hood, in accordance with an aspect of the invention.

FIG. 2 illustrates a top view of the latching drum lid with an integral exhaust hood of FIG. 1, in accordance with an aspect of the invention.

FIG. 3 is a bottom view of the latching drum lid with an integral exhaust hood of FIGS. 1 and 2, in accordance with an aspect of the invention.

FIG. 4 illustrates the latching drum lid with exhaust hood of FIG. 1 in a closed position, in accordance with an aspect of the invention.

FIG. 5 is the latching drum lid of FIGS. 1-4 with exhaust hood of FIGS. 1-4 attached to a drum, in accordance with an aspect of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In one aspect, the invention comprises a circular latching drum lid with a continuous gasket enclosed within an outer wall. The internal space defined by the inner and outer circular walls composes the exhaust hood. The outer wall includes, for example, a 4 inch outside diameter (OD) coupler for attachment to an exhaust duct. If the outer wall is higher than the inner wall, it helps to contain and remove vapors that are both heavier and lighter than air. If the inner wall is extended below the surface of the base lid, it would help to limit the amount of vapor escaping by creating a baffle. This extension, however, would also restrict the effective height of the collection drum. A diffuser screen placed between the two walls would prevent small papers and debris from entering the ductwork. A diffuser screen would also help to more evenly distribute airflow around the exhaust hood. The assembly is then attached to an open-head dram with a bolt-closed attachment ring or other types of rings that use a lever device to quickly remove the attachment ring. The invention meets EPA requirements for closed container while also providing OSHA requirements (e.g., 400 cfm in a 4 inch duct) for exhaust ventilation of fumes while the container is open during use.

In another aspect of the invention, one or more latches may be used to seal the lid. Advantageously, a single-latch assembly can be opened and closed with one hand, allowing the user to quickly open and close the lid to minimize the amount of vapor emission. An additional benefit of the one hand operation is that the user does not need to let go of the hazardous waste to open the container. This helps to eliminate potential contamination of the environment surrounding the hazardous waste drum.

Referring now to the Figures, FIG. 1 illustrates a latching drum lid with an integral exhaust hood 32, in accordance with an aspect of the invention. The inner circular wall 10 and outer circular wall 12 are connected, e.g., welded to the base lid 14. The outer wall contains a male coupler 16 (e.g., a 4 inch OD coupler) to attach to an exhaust duct (e.g., a 4 inch OD duct), a latch bar assembly 18 and a hinge assembly 20. It will be understood that the invention is also applicable to different size OD's as well. The internal space defined by the inner and outer circular walls, base lid and coupler compose the exhaust hood. A latching lid 22 has a continuous gasket 24 surrounding its edge and a latch assembly 26 connected to the outer circular wall 12. In addition, it will be appreciated that the latch bar assembly, latch assembly and/or hinge can also be attached to the inner circular wall 10 or at other locations on the latching drum lid with an integral exhaust hood 32 if desired.

FIG. 2 illustrates a top view of the latching drum lid with an integral exhaust hood 32 of FIG. 1, in accordance with an aspect of the invention. The inner circular wall 10 and outer circular wall 12 are connected, e.g., welded to the base lid 14. The outer wall contains a male coupler 16 (e.g., a 4 inch OD coupler) to attach to an exhaust duct (e.g., a 4 inch OD duct) and a latch bar assembly 18. The internal space defined by the inner and outer circular walls, base lid and coupler compose the exhaust hood. The latching lid 22 has a continuous gasket 24 surrounding its edge and a latch assembly 26.

In FIG. 3, there is shown a bottom view of the latching drum lid with an integral exhaust hood 32 of FIGS. 1 and 2, in accordance with an aspect of the invention. The inner circular wall 10 and outer circular wall 12 are connected, e.g., welded to the base lid 14. The base lid includes a continuous gasket around it perimeter 28. The outer wall contains a male coupler 16 (e.g., a 4 inch OD coupler) to attach to an exhaust duct (e.g., a 4 inch OD duct) and a latch bar assembly 18. The latching lid 22 has a latch assembly 26 and reinforcement bars 30 welded onto the surface to reduce warping.

FIG. 4 illustrates the latching drum lid with exhaust hood 32 of FIG. 1 in a closed position, in accordance with an aspect of the invention. The latch assembly 26 is engaged with the latch bolt assembly 18.

In FIG. 5, there is shown the latching drum lid of FIGS. 1-4 with exhaust hood 32 of FIGS. 1-4 attached to a drum 34 with a bolt-closed attachment ring 36.

Whereas particular embodiments of this invention have been described above for purposes of illustration, it will be evident to those skilled in the art that numerous variations of the details of the present invention may be made without departing from the invention as defined in the appended claims. 

1. An apparatus for attaching to an opening of a drum, comprising: a lid; a base for attaching to the opening of the drum; a circular inner wall formed on the base; a circular outer wall formed on the base and extending between the base and the lid, the circular outer wall being circumferentially spaced about the circular inner wall and defining an open space therebetween; and an exhaust opening formed on an outer surface of the circular outer wall.
 2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the base attaches to a periphery of the opening of the drum.
 3. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the base includes a circular ring defining a base opening, the base opening positionable adjacent the opening of the drum.
 4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the lid is hinged to the circular outer wall.
 5. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the lid includes a latch assembly for securing the lid to the circular outer wall.
 6. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the lid includes a gasket for engaging a top portion of the circular outer wall to create a seal therebetween.
 7. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the base includes a gasket for engaging the opening of the drum to create a seal therebetween.
 8. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the circular inner wall and the circular outer wall are structured and arranged to establish air flow from the opening of the drum to the exhaust opening.
 9. The apparatus of claim 1, further including means for latching the base to the opening of the drum.
 10. A latching drum lid with an integral exhaust, comprising: a lid; a base opposing the lid; a circular inner wall formed on the base; a circular outer wall formed on the base and extending between the base and the lid, the circular outer wall being circumferentially spaced about the circular inner wall and defining an open space therebetween; and an exhaust opening formed on an outer surface of the circular outer wall.
 11. The latching drum lid with an integral exhaust of claim 10, wherein the base attaches to a periphery of an opening of a drum.
 12. The latching drum lid with an integral exhaust of claim 11, wherein the base includes a circular ring defining a base opening, the base opening positionable adjacent the opening of the drum.
 13. The latching drum lid with an integral exhaust of claim 10, wherein the lid is hinged to the circular outer wall.
 14. The latching drum lid with an integral exhaust of claim 10, wherein the lid includes a latch assembly for securing the lid to the circular outer wall.
 15. The latching drum lid with an integral exhaust of claim 10 wherein the lid includes a gasket for engaging a top portion of the circular outer wall to create a seal therebetween.
 16. The latching drum lid with an integral exhaust of claim 11, wherein the base includes a gasket for engaging the opening of the drum to create a seal therebetween.
 17. The latching drum lid with an integral exhaust of claim 11, wherein the circular inner wall and the circular outer wall are structured and arranged to establish air flow from the opening of the drum to the exhaust opening.
 18. The latching drum lid with an integral exhaust of claim 11, further including means for latching the base to the opening of the drum.
 19. A latching drum lid with an integral exhaust, comprising: a lid; a base opposing the lid; a circular inner wall formed on the base; a circular outer wall formed on the base and extending between the base and the lid, the circular outer wall being circumferentially spaced about the circular inner wall and defining an open space therebetween; and exhaust means for establishing an airflow from the inside of the latching drum lid to the outside of the latching drum lid.
 20. The latching drum lid of claim 19, wherein the exhaust means includes an exhaust duct formed on an exterior surface of the latching drum lid. 